That beautiful, glistening ham in the center of the table just feels like a celebration, doesn’t it.
It has a way of making any meal feel special, a true centerpiece that promises both sweet and savory goodness in every single slice.
Why a Glazed Ham is a Crowd-Pleaser
There’s a certain magic in how the simple glaze transforms the ham into something truly spectacular.
It creates a sticky, caramelized crust that people just can’t resist, making it the star of the show without any fussy techniques.
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
- Spiral Cut Ham: The pre-sliced nature of this ham is a huge timesaver, and it allows the glaze to seep deliciously into every single crevice.
- Brown Sugar: This is the foundation of your glaze, providing a deep molasses-like sweetness that forms a gorgeous, crackly crust.
- Orange Juice: A little bit of citrus brightness cuts through the richness, balancing the sweetness with a subtle, tangy note.
- Honey: Honey introduces a floral, smooth sweetness that helps the glaze cling beautifully to the ham’s surface.
- Cinnamon: This warm spice adds a familiar, comforting aroma that makes the entire kitchen smell incredible.
- Ground Cloves: Just a hint of cloves gives the glaze a complex, slightly peppery depth that is simply classic.
How to make Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze?
Step 1 – Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by getting your oven nice and hot, a steady 350 degrees is your target.
Placing a roasting rack inside your pan is a small step that makes a big difference, it lifts the ham and lets the heat circulate evenly for a perfect cook.
Step 2 – Get the Ham Ready
Give your ham a quick rinse under cool water and then pat it thoroughly dry with some paper towels.
Lay out a large piece of heavy-duty foil, big enough to completely envelop the ham, and place your ham right in the center of it.
Step 3 – Create the Glaze
Now, for the transformative part, combine all of your glaze ingredients in a small saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a lively boil over medium heat, letting it bubble away for three to four minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes wonderfully fragrant.
Step 4 – Glaze and Wrap
This is where the flavor gets locked in, carefully pour or brush that warm glaze over the ham, making sure to get it in between all those spiral slices.
Wrap the foil up and around the ham, creating a tight sealed packet that will steam the ham and keep all the juices from escaping.
Step 5 – Bake to Perfection
Place your foil-wrapped package onto the rack in the oven and let it bake undisturbed.
For a standard six-pound ham, this will take about an hour and a half, but always adjust the time if your ham is a different size.
Choosing the Right Ham for Your Dinner
Spiral-cut hams are wonderfully convenient, but don’t feel limited if you find a different style you love.
A bone-in ham will generally have more flavor and yield incredibly rich drippings, perfect for making a gravy later on.
Tips
- For an extra glossy finish, you can unwrap the ham during the last fifteen minutes of baking to let the glaze caramelize directly under the oven’s heat.
- Let the ham rest for a good ten to fifteen minutes after baking, this allows the hot juices to redistribute, resulting in much more tender meat.
- If you have any glaze left over, warm it up gently and serve it on the side for guests who love an extra saucy bite.
- Scoring the surface of a non-spiral cut ham with a sharp knife in a diamond pattern helps the glaze adhere and creates a stunning presentation.
Delicious Ways to Serve Your Ham
Thin, elegant slices are the traditional way to go, but don’t overlook the power of chunkier pieces for a more rustic feel.
Pair it with something creamy like scalloped potatoes or something sharp like a simple arugula salad to balance the sweet and salty notes.
What to Do with Those Fantastic Leftovers
Leftover ham is truly a gift, it’s the start of so many other wonderful meals throughout the week.
Dice it up for a hearty morning scramble, layer it into a decadent grilled cheese, or toss it into a comforting split pea soup for a whole new dinner.
The bone itself is a treasure, just simmer it with some vegetables for a few hours to create the most flavorful ham broth you’ve ever tasted.
As Kelsey often says, a good ham is the gift that keeps on giving, long after the main celebration is over.
Baked Ham Recipe
Description
Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze featuring orange juice, honey, and warm spices delivers the perfect sweet and savory balance. This classic holiday main course is a crowd-pleaser for Christmas, Easter, or any special gathering. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, it’s sure to become a go-to recipe for festive dinners.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a roasting rack in a large roasting pan.
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Rinse the ham and pat it dry with paper towels. Place it on a large piece of aluminum foil.
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In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, orange juice, honey, cinnamon, and cloves. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Carefully pour the warm glaze over each slice of the spiral-cut ham, ensuring it seeps between the layers.
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Wrap the ham tightly in the foil and place it on the roasting rack. Bake for 90 minutes (for a 6-pound ham). For larger hams, add 15 minutes per additional pound.
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Let the ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Optionally, garnish with pineapple rings, orange slices, or whole cloves for presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 16
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 365kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 10g16%
- Saturated Fat 3g15%
- Cholesterol 102mg34%
- Sodium 2883mg121%
- Potassium 778mg23%
- Total Carbohydrate 23g8%
- Dietary Fiber 0.1g1%
- Sugars 23g
- Protein 44g88%
- Calcium 24 mg
- Iron 2 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Note: Cooking time is based on a 6-pound ham. Add 15 minutes per pound for larger hams (e.g., 8 lbs = ~2 hours).
- Serving suggestion: Pair with mustard and extra glaze for dipping. Garnish with pineapple rings and orange slices for a festive look.
